From KSN:

TOPEKA, Kansas (AP) – Gov. Kathleen Sebelius says an energy bill before the House is dead on arrival if it reaches her desk.

Sebelius told reporters Wednesday: “It’s DOA with me – absolutely.”

The bill would allow two coal-fired power plants in southwest Kansas and restrict the power of the secretary of health and environment. But it ties those provisions to others designed to promote renewable energy.

The House plans to debate it Thursday.

Sebelius said the green provisions are too weak. And, she said, allowing two coal plants would be a step backward when the federal government is moving toward policies to promote green energy.

But House Speaker Mike O’Neal, a Hutchinson Republican, said it’s frustrating that she’s standing in the way of good energy policy.

Kansas Republican lawmakers want two coal plants, but Governor Sebelius keeps vetoing their bill. Their most recent bill also prevents the Kansas Health and Environment Secretary from being able to regulate the plants’ carbon dioxide emissions. Meanwhile, the federal stimulus package includes $30B for green energy investments.

It makes me wonder why Mike O’Neal thinks new coal energy plants are a “good energy policy.”

Categories: Kansas, Rant
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I went to The Donut Whole for the first time today. They just opened after the first of the year and I think I found a new (and more affordable) location for donuts, coffee, and studying for homework. It’s a creative and innovative alternative to traditional donut & coffee shops; the store is arranged to accommodate both art and music performances while their delicious donuts easily out perform some of the other local shops. Their hours are 6am to midnight, but their drive-thru is 24 hours.

I especially dig the art on the walls, the nostalgic and creatively recycled decor, and the friendly staff. Their chocolate/peanut-butter donut was amazing along with their reasonably-priced mocha espresso. I really liked their selection of hard-to-find beverages, such as micro-brewed root beer.

From their myspace page:

Wichita stalwart Michael Carmody and longtime Old Town dynamo Angela Etter have partnered to bring you hot, fresh, tender cake donuts made from scratch and rich, delicious, top-quality coffee drinks.

At The Donut Whole, we believe that the Big Three donut conglomerates produce donuts with holes — but no soul. Our donuts are made with tried-and-true traditional craftsmanship, given a fun modern twist with novel flavor varieties and creative toppings. (We even offer a vegan variety!) Wherever possible, our ingredients are all-natural and sourced locally to reduce our “carbon footprint” — so when you eat a Donut Whole donut, you’re eating the end result of KANSAS labor. Munch ‘em with pride!

Our store will be open all day and night, and will offer convenient drive-up service, free wireless internet, live acoustic music, art shows, donut eating contests and more — much more than your traditional donut shop.

Categories: Biz, Kansas
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Small Business Struggle to Provide Insurance Click to view the video segment.

Meanwhile, Cessna adds another 2,000 jobs to be laid off. They already laid off almost 700 about two months ago. Less airplanes means less demand on materials; Alcoa says the weakened demand for aluminum has hit “historic” lows.

Kind of depressing.

Categories: Biz, Kansas
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I’m in Panera, working on my final paper for my Leadership class, and I overhear from the table next to me, “A professor cannot mention intelligent design in the classroom without being ostracized and fired unless they have tenure.” Have they forgotten that we are in Kansas? Luckily, the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster has given us hope with informative yet inspiring pictographs:

Then a group of hotties wearing almost nothing sat down at a table across from me and I forgot what I was typing. I’m pretty sure they’re at least 18.

Categories: Entertainment, Kansas, Rant
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A few recent sunsets out my window:

Categories: Kansas
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I hate activist churches. They promote hate and intolerance, counter to what the Bible largely represents. Wichita isn’t short of such churches. One is the Spirit One Christian Church, whose web page details “current events” such as how Hillary Clinton, Islam, and anything else that they don’t agree with must be condemned. No where to be found is the food drive for the poor or the Saturday night dinner for members.

In a beautiful display of God’s sense of humor, lightning struck the Spirit One Christian Church today, blowing out windows and destroying part of the roof. I’m sure if God was on earth today, he’d be familiar with the term douche-bag when describing such “Christians.”

Categories: Kansas
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